Tutoring 2019

Contact Samantha Sketchtrips Phone 07482899900. email info@sketchtrips.co.uk
to make enquiries or reserve a place .

Diane’s relaxing, enjoyable, sketching and watercolour painting courses in both Holland and Portugal are designed to help both beginners and intermediate students realise their true potential and immerse themselves in the local culture whilst sketching ‘en plein-air’ in inspiring locations.

A workshop combining meditation and creative art activities inspired by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) landscape and the work of Bill Viola, which often explores key themes of the transformation of the self, inner revelations and profound human experiences.

Participants will practice basic meditation techniques, explore self-awareness and the nature of the elements, and respond to the experience through creative activities. Reflecting on the works of Viola and meditation practice, participants will be invited to create personal responses in paint, ink or charcoal, using markmaking and simplicity with particular focus on colour and texture.

Prior experience of meditation and artwork is not necessary

The session will be lead by Veronica Voiels and Diane King

The workshop will last 3 hours

All materials will be provided

Participants are invited to bring their own meditation cushion, although some will be supplied for the workshop

About
Diane King is a qualified teacher with 30 years of experience and facilitates creative art workshops both in the UK and internationally. Veronica Voiels is a qualified teacher of over 30 years experience and a meditation teacher for 17 years in the Samatha tradition of Buddhism.

Diane Veronica and Bill Viola at the opening of his new exhibition the YSP

“The Innocents” – Bill Viola 2007

Norfolk (Fri 6th – 13th May 2016)

Accommodation in North Norfolk is based in spacious barns offer mixture of double or twin rooms with either ensuite bathrooms or adjoining private bathrooms. The barns combine luxury, character and everything you could possibly need, including flat screen TV, DVD, Hi-Fi with CD player, iPod dock, Free Wireless Broadband Internet connection and log burners. Set around a garden courtyard the barns look out onto patios, lawns and herb garden. The barns offer quality accommodation with usable outdoor spaces for outdoor workshops in the temperate Norfolk climate.

The nearby seaside town of Sheringham boasts shingle beaches and steam trains, whilst the Georgian town of Holt offers a myriad of shops, boutiques, art galleries and flint cobbled buildings. A bit further afield are the fishing towns of Wells, BLakeney and Cromer, well known for their smokehouse and crab shacks The marshes at Morston and wide open spaces of Holkham bay are a bird spotters paradise an offer a great opportunity to capture the famous big skies of Norfolk.

We will be out and about sketching and painting Sheringham, Holt, Cromer (and it’s pier), Blakeney Quay, Holkham Bay and the marshes at Morston.

Bedrooms available with private bathrooms (either double or twin) on a shared or solo basis from £750pp.

Tuscany (Sat 22nd – 29th October 2016)

Dianes course will include plein air painting trips to Florence, Pisa and Lucca.

Our villa for the week is a restored, charming antique villa built in the 17th Century on the outskirts of Lucca town centre, among olives trees and vineyards. It lies on the top of a hill in the South-West area of the Lucca countryside only 4 km from its ancient city’s Walls.

Set on two floors the villa offers a living room and a spacious dining room with french Windows and old medieval arches overlooking the garden and the Hills to the back of the house. The garden also offers a very well-kept new swimming pool, chairs, table, gazebo and sun loungers.

Bedrooms available with private bathrooms (either double or twin) on a shared or solo basis from £750pp.

Barcelona…Art, Culture and Painting tuition 17th to 23rd October 2015

The accommodation is in Casa San Juan, which is a private two house property located in private grounds of 20,000 m2 on the slope of a mountain in the middle of a forested nature reserve “Serralada Litoral”, with many pines, oaks and native plants. It offers nicely landscaped gardens leading to the a swimming pool, with lots of outside and inside painting spaces and great views of the mighty Montseny mountain range.

The closest towns are Granollers or La Roca which also has a famous outlet shopping centre:http://www.larocavillage.com/
Nearest airport: Barcelona – El Prat 50 km
There is also a railway connection in Mataro (12 km) and barcelona can be reached by train in 37 minutes and costs 10€ for a return ticket. View transport map

In the villas there are 9 bedrooms, 7 of which are on the ground floor for students. One is a full ensuite and the other has a private shower opposite. The remaining bedrooms share one bathroom between two bedrooms.

ensuite bathrooms
x1 double bedroom and a full bathroom with shower
x1 two single beds with bathroom with walk-in shower across the hall

shared bathrooms
x3 rooms with two single beds (that can be pushed together to make a double)
x3 rooms with a double bed

Non-painting sharing partners/friends can take advantage of a £75pp reduction off the above prices (lunch included, but no tutoring or transport).

If you are flying we will have the minibus and can pick you up from the airport. Flights with www.easyjet.com should be in the region of £60pp from Liverpool depending on when you book and will be released in spring next year 2015. Please talk to Diane concerning flight times if you wish to fly with others in the group.

At this stage we require a £150pp deposit for the holiday payable by online transfer or cheque to ARTCHALET, if you need the payment information please email me. As usual the remainder isn’t due until 8 weeks before which would be the 26th July 2015.

Studio in the sky at the top of the ship!

Diane and students during P and O’s Ventura Mediterranean cruise October 2013

This immaculate cottage have been recently renovated (completed spring 2012) and equipped to an excellent standard. The cottage is beautifully presented to retain their charming atmosphere and provide an excellent standard of accommodation.Visit Wales have recently awarded the cottage 5 stars.

Outside, the balcony and front garden provide a glorious vista across Tremadog Bay to the Snowdonia Mountains beyond. All the rooms to the front of cottage (living rooms, twin bedroom and king ensuite bedroom) benefit from these unobstructed views.

There are two lounges with wood burning stoves, plus x2 work rooms/dinning rooms. A picnic bench in the front garden, garden bench in the front covered porch area and bistro chairs on the balcony to enjoy the magnificent view. Wi-fi access, Parking.

The cottage is ideally situated in the picturesque coastal Victorian village of Borth-y-Gest. Directly to the rear of the properties is Parc-y-Borth nature reserve. It is located in an elevated position on a small hillside providing fabulous views of Tremadog Bay and the Snowdonia Mountains. Borth-y-Gest village teashop and shop and is within a 2 minutes walk of the sea front.

A short 10 minute walk along the coastal path to the east takes you to the popular tourist town of Porthmadog where there is a extensive range of cafes, shops and pubs.

The views from Borth-y-Gest are spectacular with a panorama sweeping across the estuary of the River Glaslyn to the Rhinog Mountains to the south, and the Moelwyn Mountains to the east.The views also include the wooded peninsula of the Italian style village of Portmeirion, designed by the famous Welsh architect, Sir Clough William-Ellis in 1925. The views from Borth-y-Gest are truly spectacular and perhaps unrivalled by any seaside village in Wales.

The sands and estuary are of particular interest to birdwatchers as they are home to a wide variety of species of birds including oystercatchers, redshanks and curlew, as well as winter visitors such as goldeneye, great crested grebe and wigeon. Summer brings flocks of sandwich terns. Meanwhile the village is largely surrounded by woodland, much of it deciduous and dominated by ancient Welsh oaks.

Several beautiful beaches are within easy walking distance along the well maintained coastal path, which leads directly from Borth-y-Gest village centre. Further afield Black Rock Sands is located approximately two miles away. Black Rock Sands is a popular wide sandy beach with a rocky headland at the western end of the beach and a backdrop of sand dunes that are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). When the tide recedes there are rock pools, exposed caverns and multi coloured rock face. Further affield Cricceith beach (7 miles) and Harlech (10 miles)

The nearby Parc-y-Borth woods is a local nature reserve long popular with walkers and ornithologists, and among the birdlife you might be lucky to spot green woodpeckers, tawny owls and pied flycatchers. Parc-y-Borth is set in deciduous woodland dominated by ancient Welsh oaks. An extensive network of paths will lead you from a public footpath running alongside Tegfryn through the woods to the top of a crag with extensive views of the Glaslyn and Dwyryd estuaries.

Friday

9am to 10am – Breakfast
During this morning there will be a chance for those who wish, to exhibit their work at the “Bartzi” art and community centre – (small inset attached to old port)

10am – Individual painting around studio with tuition

12pm – lunch / free time

12pm to 5pm – Free time, last bit of shopping etc. Collect work from Bartzi if necessary

5pm – Transfer to the airport

6:30pm (aprox.) – Flight home

Debbie concentrating

Georgina and Diane, Pandora studios

Pandora studios –double rooms small kitchen, ensuite with shower,balcony, Some with small terrace, air conditioning, T.V.

Gerry painitng at the hill top monastry

The courtyard at Pandora studios

Enjoying the shade and capturing the light!

We visit Skiathos ancient hill top monastry

Painting the quaint corners in the old town

Georgina,Demetrius and Diane outside Pandora studios.

Christine really letting the colours flow

Enjoying the best greek salad on the island

Alan painting in Skiathos old town

Skiathos old town and harbour, 8mins walk away

Street in Skiathos old town a maze of narrow cobbled streets

Testimonials

“particularly impressed with the sensitivity you showed in ‘easing us in’ to our painting and building our confidence session by session…by far one of the best holidays I have had in a long time” – Monika

Art courses in the Alps

Diane will be running a painting holiday in the traditional Savoyard town of La Clusaz on the 19th to 26th Sept 2015.

La Clusaz nestles in the stunning Aravis Mountains – part of the northern French Alps, just an hour from Geneva.

Famous for incredible scenery and mountain lakes this picturesque corner of France is straight out of the Sound of music. Colourful fragrant field of flowers dominate the landscape in spring and early summer, whilst the superb russets of the autumn colour the valleys in September and October.

Diane’s alpine holiday is based at the traditional wooden Chalet, Fan la Bise. The holiday includes accommodation, airport transfers to/from Geneva, all your transport to and from painting/sketching sites, breakfasts, packed lunches and delicious 2 course evening meals with a choice of wines. Accommodation can be on a sole occupancy or shared basis depending on your preference and budget. Please email for more information and to book your place – info@artchalet.co.uk.

Draft Itinerary La Clusaz 19th to 26th Sept

Students will enjoy a creative and relaxing time, soaking up the atmosphere and unique landscape of this amazing corner of France. The following itinerary provides a rough idea of the holiday schedule, but students are free to dip in and out of the schedule to suit their mood. Throughout the week there will be tutorials involving watercolour techniques, colour theory and practice, tone and hue, composition and much more. We hope that you will return home with a sense of achievement, paintings to cherish, as well as wonderful memories of the landscape and people you may have met during your holiday away.

Our private minibus transfers you to the chalet from Geneva airport. Then after dinner we run through the holiday schedule with information on all the painting/sketching sites.

After breakfast, it’s off to the painting site/s in the minibus, with a packed lunch to enjoy mid way through the day. In the afternoon it’s back to the chalet for a cup of tea, and later a delicious home-cooked evening meal with wine

There is also a free day which can be enjoyed painting, walking in the hills and wandering through the local market, or a trip to the Old town in Geneva.

Residential watercolour painting holidays in the Lake District

Diane is now offering fully catered residential painting holidays set in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District.The courses are suitable for beginners, improvers and experienced students.Situated on the south facing slopes of Blencathra, The site offers an unparalled panorama of the lake district mountains and woodlands, The natural habitat of bluebells, wild garlic and red squirrels. The location is perfect for sketching and painting the stunning views whilst enjoying delicious home cooked food and good company.

Coldwell Inn Artists in Residence

Recently Diane was appointed the artist in residence at Coldwell Inn. The centre is situated amongst beautiful scenery overlooking a reservoir in the hills of Lancashire.

At the moment she is offering day workshops which include a home cooked lunch (cost approx £35). The residential course will include trips to local beauty areas, all meals and accommodation (£340 approx cost).

Please see the website to view the centre – www.coldwell.org.uk.

For further information contact Claire on 01282601819

Paint Article January 2012

Skiathos

Diane is running a painting holiday in the picturesque old town of Skiathos on the beautiful greek island. Famous for its relaxing beaches, crystal blue seas, quaint old fishing town, sunshine and friendly folk!

The holiday will be based at Pandora studios, and includes flights from Manchester, transfers. Accomodation with breakfast tuition and a full programme of optional activities. Email for more information including tariff and ensure a place! The group will be no more than ten participants.dianekingjandy@yahoo.co.uk.

P & O Cruising Holidays!

Diane has been appointed as an artist working with this world famous cruising company.

Recently travelling to the idyllic Caribbean islands of St Lucia and Antigua. Producing watercolour paintings capturing the beauty of the islands.

Another exciting adventure this summer is planned to the Norwegian Fjords and Greenland…..

Passengers sharing their paintings.

Diane tutoring on board.

Bergen Norway.

Wonderful knitted bike!

Outside wool shop Bergen.

Caribbean travel!

The Fjords Norway. seen from the cruise ship Arcadia

View of St Lucia from the P and O cruise ship Oceana.

Cunards Queen Mary Two Sailing to New York

Diane has recently been asked to teach and paint on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 sailing to New York just before Christmas.

A very exciting trip as the Queen Mary passed through very high seas and a hurricane!

Beautiful Cornwall – Sennen Cove
1st-7th June 2013

The Lodge overlooks the fabulous white sand beach at Sennen with views of Longships Lighthouse and the Scilly Isles. Penzance, Newlyn gallery, the Tate at St. Ives and St. Michaels Mount are all close at hand and will be destinations for in our ‘days out’ to paint and sketch ‘en plein air’.

The Lodge offers spacious accommodation with 5 ensuite bedrooms and 4 bedrooms which share two further bathrooms. The Lodge offers stunning views and extensive gardens can be used to paint and relax. It was built by the artist Harry Welch in the 1890’s and is a 5 minute walk to the beach.

7 NIGHTS – Saturday to Saturday 1-7th

King size/en suite sole use £850pp/shared £625pp

Double /en suite sole use £800pp/shared £600pp

Twin /en suite sole use £800pp/shared £600pp

Double / shared bathroom sole use £750pp/shared £550pp

Twin /shared bathroom sole use £750pp/shared £550pp

Non-painting sharing partners/friends can take advantage of a £75pp reduction off the above prices.

5 NIGHTS – Monday to Friday 3-7th

King size/en suite sole use £750pp/shared £525pp

Double /en suite sole use £700pp/shared £500pp

Twin /en suite sole use £700pp/shared £500pp

Double / shared bathroom sole use £650pp/shared £450pp

Twin /shared bathroom sole use £650pp/shared £450pp

Non-painting sharing partners/friends can take advantage of a £50pp reduction off the above prices.